JP3513447B2 - Process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge.

Here, a process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least a developing roller as a developing means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium (for example, recording paper, cloth, etc.) by using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer ( For example, LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), electrophotographic facsimile machines, and electrophotographic word processors are included.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is made into an electronic cartridge. A process cartridge system that is detachable from the main body of the photographic image forming apparatus is used. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without resorting to a serviceman, so that the operability can be markedly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

Such a process cartridge uses toner to form an image on a recording medium. In the process cartridge, the developing roller of the developing means and the photosensitive drum which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member are connected by a gear.

[0006]

In the distribution process, the spacer rollers at both ends of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are pressed against each other. Naturally, the gear fixed coaxially to the photosensitive drum and the gear fixed coaxially to the developing roller are in mesh with each other. Due to vibration during handling during distribution, the tooth flanks of the gears collide with each other and rotate. If this rotation direction is opposite to the direction of image formation, the blowing prevention sheet, which should be in contact with the direction of movement of the peripheral surface of the developing roller in the direction in which the leading end faces, will be reversed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge capable of reducing or eliminating the risk that the developing roller will rotate in the direction opposite to the rotating direction during image formation during distribution.

[0008]

The main invention of the present invention is as follows, when it is shown with the numbers corresponding to the claims.

A first aspect of the present invention is a process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a drum gear provided at one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing roller for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with toner, and a developing roller gear provided at one longitudinal end of the developing roller, the developing roller gear meshing with the drum gear. A developing roller gear for transmitting a driving force for rotating the developing roller from the drum gear, a cleaning container supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a toner developing container supporting the developing roller, and the cleaning container And a toner developing container are rotatably connected to each other, and in a direction in which the drum gear and the developing roller gear are engaged with each other. A biasing member that biases the cleaning container and the toner developing container coupled by the coupling member, and a state in which the drum gear and the developing roller gear are disengaged against the biasing force of the biasing member, or , The tooth surface of the drum gear and the development by the vibration during transportation
In order to prevent the tooth surface of the roller gear from colliding with the drum gear and the developing roller gear, the front of the coupling member is interposed so that the back gap between the drum gear and the developing roller gear is kept larger than during image formation.
A process cartridge comprising: the cleaning container and a tape attached to the toner developing container on the side opposite to the developing roller .

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] First, an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described, and then a process cartridge assembling method will be described. Finally, the process of disassembling and reassembling the process cartridge and the reassembled process cartridge will be described.

The process cartridge and the image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. Here, as the order of the description, first, the overall configuration of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described, then, the configuration of the cartridge frame body will be described, and further the coupling configuration of the frame body will be described.

{Overall Configuration} This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A has a structure as shown in FIG.
Information light based on image information is emitted from the optical system 1 to a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, and the latent image is developed to form a toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is fed to the paper feed cassette 3a in synchronization with the formation of the toner image.
From the pick-up roller 3b and the separation claws 3c pressed against both corners of the upper surface of the recording medium 2 to separate and feed the sheets one by one.
A toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, which is carried by the carrying means 3 including a carrying path 3d, a pair of registration rollers 3e, etc., and which has been formed into a cartridge as a process cartridge B, is applied with a voltage to a transfer roller 4 as a transferring means. Is transferred to the recording medium 2 by the
It is conveyed to the fixing means 5 through f. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a fixing roller 5 including a heater 5b.
The transfer toner image is fixed by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 passing through c. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and is discharged to the discharge portion 6 through the reversing transport path.

On the other hand, the process cartridge B comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a cleaning means for cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor Etc. As shown in FIG. 4, the process cartridge B of the present embodiment rotates an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 which is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, and applies a voltage to a charging roller 8 which is a charging unit. By applying the voltage, the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 is uniformly charged, and the light image from the optical system 1 is exposed to the charged photoconductor drum 7 through the opening 9 to form a latent image. , The latent image developing means 1
0 is used for developing.

The developing means 10 includes a toner storage portion 10a.
The toner inside is sent out by a rotatable toner sending member 10b which is a sending means, and the developing roller 10d which is a developing member having a fixed magnet built therein is rotated, and at the same time, the developing blade 1
A toner layer to which a triboelectric charge is applied by 0e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image to form a toner image and visualize it. Is. Here, the developing roller 10d supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 7. Further, the developing blade 10e includes the developing roller 10d.
The thickness of the toner layer attached to the surface of the toner is regulated.

Then, after a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 11a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and at the same time, the squeeze sheet. The residual toner on the photoconductor drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 which collects the collected toner in the removed toner storage portion 11c by the scooping 11b.

{Cartridge mounting means} Photosensitive drum 7
Each member such as is housed and supported in a cartridge frame in which the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are combined to form a cartridge, and the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body 14.

When the opening / closing member 15 is opened around the shaft 15a (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the cartridge mounting means faces the left and right side surfaces of the cartridge mounting space and moves downward as shown in FIG. The formed guide grooves 16 are provided substantially symmetrically. The guide groove 16 has a substantially linear shape. Further, the main body side positioning portion 16 is provided at the entrance side of the guide groove 16.
c is provided.

On the other hand, the guide groove 1 is formed on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B corresponding to the guide groove 16.
A guide portion which is guided along 6 is formed. The guide portion is configured so as to project from substantially symmetrical positions on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame,
As shown in FIG. 5, the boss 18 and the rib 19 are integrally formed. The boss 18 and the rib 19 are formed integrally with the cleaning container 13 to which the photosensitive drum 7 is attached, the boss 18 is located on an extension line of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 7, and the rib 19 is continuous from the boss 18. Then, the process cartridge B is extended obliquely downward in the insertion direction of the process cartridge B shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with the shape of the guide groove 16.

In the above structure, when the process cartridge B is mounted, as shown in FIG.
5 is opened, the rib 19 is fitted into the guide groove 16, and the process cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body 14. As it is inserted, the process cartridge B moves in a substantially straight line in a substantially diagonally downward direction. When the process cartridge B is further pushed in, the boss 18 of the process cartridge B is guided by the guide groove 1
The main body positioning portion 16c formed at the entrance of 6 is seated.
At the same time, the tip 19a of the rib 19 abuts on the detent abutment surface 16a of the guide groove 16 by a moment about the boss 18 due to the weight of the process cartridge B. The center of gravity of the process cartridge B is closer to the rib 19 than the boss 18. As a result, the drum gear 51a (see FIG. 5) fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with the drive gear 22 (see FIG. 2) on the apparatus body 14 side, and the drive force can be transmitted to the process cartridge B.

Next, when the opening / closing member 15 is closed, the opening / closing member 1
The shutter opening lever 55 which is interlocked with 5 rotates counterclockwise from the position 55a to the position 55b around the shaft 55c, and the pin 2 provided on the drum shutter member 28 shown in FIG.
The transfer opening 13n is opened against the spring force of the torsion coil spring 27 around the pin 29 that engages with the drum shutter member 28 and pivotally attaches the drum shutter member 28 to the cleaning container 13.
The torsion coil spring 27 is inserted into the pin 29, one end of which is locked to the cleaning container 13, and the other end of which is locked to the drum shutter member 28.
When 5 is open and when the process cartridge B is outside the apparatus main body 14, the drum shutter member 28 closes the transfer opening 13n by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 27.

When the process cartridge B is taken out, when the opening / closing member 15 is opened, the shutter opening lever 55 returns from the position 55b to 55a about the shaft 55c. Therefore, the drum shutter member 28 is rotated about the pin 29 by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 27 to close the transfer opening 13n. The process cartridge B in this state is attached to the boss 18
After pulling up so as to separate from the positioning portion 16c, the process cartridge B can be pulled out in the diagonally right upward direction in FIG. 2 while taking the rib 19 along the guide groove 16 and taken out.

{Structure of Cartridge Frame} Next, the structure of the cartridge frame will be described. This cartridge frame is formed by injection molding of polystyrene resin. As shown in FIG. 4, the developing lower frame 12b is welded to the side of the developing frame 12a and the lid member 12c is welded to the upper part thereof. Then, the toner developing container 12 is configured. Further, the cleaning container 13 is integrally formed by welding the lid member 13b to the upper portion of the cleaning frame 13a. Then, the cleaning container 13 is joined to the toner developing container 12 to form a cartridge frame.

The developing frame 12a has a toner supply opening 1 on its side.
2a1 and a toner filling opening 12a2 on one side surface in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIGS. In addition, a plurality of support members (not shown) are provided upright in the longitudinal direction inside the developing device frame 12a. Here, the toner supply opening 12a1 is for supplying the toner t stored in the toner storage portion 10a to the developing roller 10d. The toner t in the toner storage portion 10d passes through the toner supply opening 12a1 and is supplied to the developing roller 10d.

When the developing means is assembled, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, the toner feeding member 1 is placed in the developing frame 12a.
0b, the developing frame 12a is covered with the lid member 12c.
To weld. Next, a film-shaped toner seal 31 is welded to the seal attaching seating surface 12a5 formed around the toner supply opening 12a1 of the toner developing container 12 to form the opening 12a1.
Seal. Next, after the toner is filled from the toner filling opening 12a2, the cap 32 is put in the filling opening 12a2.
The toner storage unit 10a is sealed with the lid. As shown in FIG. 13, the toner seal 31 that seals the toner supply opening 12a1 is folded back on one side in the longitudinal direction of the opening 12a1 and the free end side is provided with the slit 1 provided on the developing device frame 12a.
It is pulled out from 2a8. This toner seal 3
When the process cartridge B is used, the reference numeral 1 is to pull out and remove the free end.

When the toner seal 31 is pulled out to the outside, the portion where the toner seal 31 passes through the toner developing container 12 is communicated with the inside and outside, and the hermeticity is impaired.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the developing device frame 12
a seal attaching seat surface 1 around the toner supply opening 12a1
An elastic seal material 1 such as felt is attached to the end (free end) on the pull-out side of the toner seal 31 in the longitudinal direction of 2a5.
0h is provided toward the slit 12a8 described above.

As shown in FIG. 13, the elastic sealing material 10h overlaps with the toner seal 31 and presses the toner seal 31. Therefore, when the toner seal 31 is pulled out, the elastic seal material 10h fills the slit 12a8 occupied by the toner seal 31, presses against the wall of the developing device frame 12a, and prevents the toner from leaking to the outside.

The attachment of the elastic sealing material 10h will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, the arc portion 12 of the developing device frame 12a
A rectangular groove 12a26 penetrating in the longitudinal direction is provided in a part of a6. The bottom of the square groove 12a26 is flush with the toner seal sticking seat surface 12a5. An elastic seal material 10 such as felt is attached to the piece 10j fitted in the square groove 12a26.
h is attached.

With the above structure, even if the toner seal 31 is pulled out, the toner does not leak from the slit 12a8 to the outside of the toner developing container 12.

Next, the lower developing frame 12b is welded to the side portion of the developing frame 12a. As shown in FIG. 8, arcuate portions 12a6 to which the end seals 34 are attached are provided on the developing device frame 12a at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply opening 12a1. Between the arc portions 12a6, the seal attaching seating surface 12a
A flat flange 12a16 is provided on the lower side of the sheet 5 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the seal attaching seat surface 12a5 (see FIGS. 4 and 8). On the other hand, the developing lower frame 12b has such a size that it can be inserted between the facing surfaces of the arcuate portions 12a6 facing each other on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the developing lower frame 12b is shorter than the distance L between the facing surfaces of the arcuate portion 12a6 by twice the dimension g which is to be the gap, in consideration of the variation in the manufacturing dimension. The flange 12a16 is provided with a hole 12a17,
The dowel 12b3 fitted in this hole 12a17 is the developing lower frame 1
It is provided in 2b. With the dowel 12b3 fitted in the hole 12a17, the lower surface of the developing lower frame 12b and the developing frame 12a
The upper surface of the flange 12a16 is welded or adhesively fixed.
At this time, a gap g is formed between the arcuate portion 12a6 and the developing lower frame 12b. The size of the gap g depends on the developing frame 12
There is variation in dimensions when the lower development frame 12b is fixed to a.

Protrusions 12b2 (see FIG. 8) are provided outward on both end surfaces of the developing lower frame 12b in the longitudinal direction. When the dowel 12b3 is fitted into the hole 12a17 for welding or adhering the developing lower frame 12b to the developing frame body 12a, the projection 12b is formed.
A recess 12a18 into which 2 is fitted is provided. Figure 20
As shown in, there is a gap g1 between the peripheral edges of the recess 12a18 and the protrusion 12b2. This gap is almost equal to the gap g between the facing portions of the developing lower frame 12b and the arc portion 12a6.

As shown in FIG. 8, a sticking portion 12a20 of the end seal 34 is provided on the arc portion 12a6 of the developing device frame 12a. This pasting part 12a20 is a circular arc part 12a.
6 has an arcuate peripheral surface having the same center line as the longitudinal outer arc portion 12a21. This center line is the developing roller 10d.
Is the center of the developing roller 10d in the toner developing container 12 assembled with. The attaching portion 12a20 is the arc portion 1
It has an arc surface with a radius smaller than the radius of the outer arc portion 12a21 of 2a6, and rises above the outer arc portion 12a21. As shown in FIG. 8, the pasting portion 12a20 ends at the inner side of the circumferential end portion of the outer arc portion 12a21.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, when the developing lower frame 12b is welded or adhered to the developing frame 12a, a notch 12d is formed between the arc portion 12a6 and the developing lower frame 12b. To be done.

As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the notch 12d is a gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d, which is generated by the contact between the photosensitive drum 7 and the spacer rollers 10d1 provided at both ends of the developing roller 10d ( It is on the optical path of laser light passing through the development gap). And on this optical path, a notch 10e provided in the blade metal plate 10e2
6 and the hole 13b1 provided in the lid member 13b are located.

21 to 23, a laser light source 86
Is a gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d (about 30
It has a width larger than 0 μm). Laser light source 86
The laser light emitted from the hole is the hole 13b1 and the cutout 10e.
6, the light is received by the light receiver 87 through the gap and the notch 12d between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d. The width of the laser light received by the light receiver 87 in the direction parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 21 is equal to the gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d. This makes it possible to know the developing gap.

The measurement of the gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d by such a laser beam is performed at two end portions in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7. Therefore, hole 1
3b1 and notches 10e6 and 12d are provided at least at two end portions in the longitudinal direction.

After the developing lower frame 12b is welded to the developing frame 12a, the end seal 34 and the seal 35 are attached.

As shown in FIG. 16, the end seal 34 seals between both ends of the developing roller 10d and the developing blade 10e and the developing frame 12a, and is an arc which contacts the developing roller 10d along the developing roller 10d. The portion 34a and the straight portion 34b along the back surface of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blade sheet metal 10e2 are integrated. The outer diameter side of the arc portion 34a is attached to the attaching portion 12a20 of the arc portion 12a6 of the developing device frame 12a.
Affix to.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a seal 35 made of urethane foam or the like is attached according to the longitudinal direction between the blade mounting seat surfaces 12a4 formed above the toner discharge opening 12a1 of the developing frame 12a, and the blade mounting seat surfaces 12a4 are attached. The developing blade 10e is attached by screwing. Thereby, the seal 35 is compressed between the blade sheet metal 10e2 and the developing device frame 12a, and the blade sheet metal 10e2 and the developing device frame 1 are
The space between 2a is sealed.

16 and 2 at one end of the developing frame 12a.
A developing holder 36 shown in FIG.
6 and the developing holders 37 shown in FIG. 25 are fixed. The developing holders 36 and 37 are fixed to the developing device frame 12a with machine screws 56 and 57, respectively.

The shaft 10d2 at one end of the developing roller 10d is fitted into a fixed bearing 33b which is a shaft integral with the developing holder 37 shown in FIGS. Then, the developing roller 10d
The bearing 33a at the other end of the developing roller shaft 10d2 is fitted into the bearing hole 33a2, and as shown in FIG. 15, the hole 33a4 is fitted into the positioning dowel 12a7 provided on the outer side of one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing device frame 12a. . Next, the developing roller gear 10f is fitted to the developing roller shaft 10d2. Then, the hollow cylindrical fitting portion 36a of the developing holder 36 is fitted into the fitting portion 33a3 of the bearing 33a. At this time, the developing roller gear 10
f is stored in the gear storage portion 36b of the developing holder 36. Therefore, the machine screw 56 is attached to the hole 36c of the developing holder 36 and the bearing 33.
a through the hole 33a1 and the female screw 1 of the developing device frame 12a.
2a13 is screwed and fixed. The gear storage portion 36b outside the developing holder 36 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and when the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are coupled, the developing roller gear 10f engages with the drum gear 51a through the lacked portion of the gear storage portion 36b. Fit.

The developing holders 36 and 37 are integrally formed with an arm portion 38 as a connecting portion for connecting the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13.

Then, the toner developing container 12 in which each member constituting the developing means is assembled, and the cleaning container 13 in which each member constituting the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the cleaning means 11 are assembled are the arm portions. Three
8 to form a process cartridge B.

(Coupling Structure of Toner Developing Container and Cleaning Container) Next, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 1
3, FIG. 11, FIG. 24, FIG.
5, and will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and 11 are a side view and a perspective view for explaining the joining of both containers 12 and 13, and FIG. 26 is an explanatory view of the inside of the joining portion, and FIG.
4 and FIG. 25 are side views of the joint portion of the toner developing container 12. Further, both the containers 12 and 13 are rotatably coupled via the arms 38 on both sides in the longitudinal direction, but since the configurations are substantially the same on the left and right, only one side will be described here. However, different parts will be described on both the left and right sides.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 24, the developing frame 12
A spring attachment portion 12a28 is integrally formed with a, and a compression coil spring 40 is attached to the spring attachment portion 12a28. The position of the compression coil spring 40 is the developing device frame 1.
It is one end in the longitudinal direction of 2a and is erected parallel to the arm portion 38, apart from the arm portion 38 in the lateral direction. Further, a through hole 38b through which a pin 41 described later penetrates is formed at the tip of the arm portion 38 at one end in the longitudinal direction in which the compression coil spring 40 is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the pin 4 is provided on the outer wall surface 13q of the cleaning container 13.
A hole 13c through which 1 passes is formed, and a hole 13e for press-fitting the pin 41 is formed on the inner wall surface 13d thereof. The holes 13c and 13e are formed on the photosensitive drum 7
It is on an axis parallel to. Long holes 38b1 and holes 38b provided in the arm portion 38 on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning container 13
The axis connecting the respective centers of the two passes through the centers of the holes 13c and 13e. The long hole 38b1 is long in the direction parallel to the line connecting the centers of the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d, and the hole width is equal to that of the pin 41.

In the above structure, when the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are joined together, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the arm portion 38 provided on the toner developing container 12 is inserted into the recess 13h of the cleaning container 13. And the pin 41 is provided in the cleaning container 13.
c, 13c to the through hole 38b of the arm portion 38, the long hole 38
The holes 13 of the inner wall surface 13d are penetrated in the order of b1.
Press into e and 13e respectively. As a result, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are rotatably connected about the pin 41. At this time, the compression coil spring 40 attached to the developing device frame 12a is compressed after coming into contact with the spring seat 13f (see FIG. 26) of the cleaning container 13. Therefore, the photoconductor drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are urged by a moment about the pin 41, and the photoconductor drum 7 is pressed.
Against this, the spacer roller 10d1 of the developing roller 10d is in pressure contact.

Since the elongated hole 38b1 is provided as described above, the photoconductor drum 7 and the spacer roller 10d1 of the developing roller 10d are in contact with each other at their respective bus lines. This bus line is parallel to the center lines of the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows the end face portion on the opposite side of the one end in the longitudinal direction where the compression coil spring 40 is provided.
Both ends of the tension coil spring 59 are locked to a spring hook 13p of the cleaning container 13 and a spring hook 12a29 provided on the developing device frame 12a of the toner developing container 12. The tension direction of the tension coil spring 59 is substantially parallel to the line connecting the center of the photosensitive drum 7 and the center of the developing roller 10d.

As a result, the developing roller 10d attached to the toner developing container 12 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 side attached to the cleaning container 13 by the bias of the compression coil spring 40 and the tension coil spring 59, and the developing roller 1
Spacer rollers 10d1 attached to both ends of 0d in the longitudinal direction
Comes into contact with the photoconductor drum 7 to position the developing roller 10d with respect to the photoconductor drum 7. Further, at this time, the drum gear 51a fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with the developing roller gear 10f fixed to the side end of the developing roller 10d, and the driving force can be transmitted.

(Separation of Photosensitive Drum and Developing Roller) When the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are in contact with each other, the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f are naturally meshed with each other. Drum gear 51a and developing roller gear 10
When f is transported in mesh with each other, vibration of the transportation causes the tooth flanks of those gears to collide with each other and rotate. There is no problem if this rotation is always in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 28 (rotation direction during operation for forming an image), but since rotation is caused by vibration, it naturally occurs in the direction of arrow B. When the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d rotate in the direction of the arrow B, that is, in the direction opposite to that at the time of operation, in the worst case, the blowing prevention sheet comes into contact with the developing roller in the counter direction, so that the blowing prevention sheet is wound. You may get burned.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the drum gear 51
It is decided that the back gap in which a and the developing roller gear 10f are meshed with each other is larger than the back gap at the time of image formation so that the tooth surfaces do not collide with each other due to vibration during transportation. Of course, the distribution may be performed with the mesh disengaged.

A means for maintaining the state in which the back gap between the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f is increased as shown in FIG. 30 or the disengaged state is shown below. FIG. 29
Then, with the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f disengaged, the tape 81 was attached over the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13. FIG. 31 is a perspective view in which the tape 81 is attached as described above.

Drum gear 51a and developing roller gear 10f
29, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are moved to the pin 4 as shown by the arrow N in FIG.
A force is applied to bring the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 closer to each other on the side opposite to the side on which the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are provided, with the vertical plane passing through the point P pivoted at 1 being interposed therebetween. Add. At this time, a compression coil spring 40 (FIG. 1) for pressing the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d.
1) and the tension coil spring 59 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, tension acts on the tape 81 based on the springs 40 and 59. So tape 81
Has a width and a thickness so that the stress against pulling during distribution is within an allowable range, and the attachment portions to the toner developing frame 12a and the cleaning container 13 are springs 40 and 5.
An adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive of a type that is not separated by the force acting on the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 by the spring force of 9 is used.

Incidentally, in the above description, when the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are moved in the direction of separating from each other, the back gap of the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f becomes large, and the tooth surfaces for meshing are also separated from each other.

If an adhesive tape is used as the tape 81, the construction is easy.

The tape 81 is a single tape, and is a process cartridge B in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d.
Is disposed in the substantially central portion of the. As a result, an unbalanced load is not applied to the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13, and irregular deformation does not occur in the containers 12 and 13.

The tape 81 has a tab 81a which is formed by folding the end portion of the tape 81, which is attached to the cleaning container 13, upright on the container surface. As a result, the tape 81 can be peeled off with the knob 81a.

After the manufacturing of the process cartridge B is completed, the tape 81 is used to develop the developing roller gear 10f and the drum gear 5.
The process cartridge B having a large back gap 1a or a disengaged state 1a is shipped. Before the user mounts the process cartridge B on the image forming apparatus main body 14, the tape 81 is held by the knob 81a.
Peel off. Alternatively, scissors are put in an intermediate portion of the tape 81 not attached to the toner developing container 12 or the cleaning container 13 to cut the tape 81. Then, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 rotate around the pin 41 by the spring force of the springs 40 and 59, and the developing roller gear 10f and the drum gear 51a are engaged with each other. At the same time, the spacer roller 10d1 and the photosensitive drum 7 are pressed against each other.

When the developing roller gear 10d and the drum gear 51a are disengaged from each other as described above, the exposure opening 9 for introducing the image light into the photosensitive drum 7 is closed. Therefore, together with the drum shutter member 28, the photosensitive drum 7 is not exposed almost completely.

If the developing roller gear 10f and the drum gear 51a are disengaged from each other and the material flows, the developing roller 10d
A large external force is not applied to the process cartridge B in the gap (about 300 μm) between the photosensitive drum 7 and the photosensitive drum 7, and the developing roller 10d and the image area portion of the photosensitive drum 7 are prevented from contacting each other.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall structure of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described, and then the method of assembling the process cartridge will be described. Finally, the steps for disassembling and reassembling the process cartridge and the assembled process cartridge will be described.

The process cartridge and the image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be mounted will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 36. Here, as the order of the description, first, the overall configuration of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described, then, the configuration of the cartridge frame body will be described, and further the coupling configuration of the frame body will be described.

[Overall Structure] As shown in FIG. 32, this electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A irradiates a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member with information light based on image information from an optical system 1. A latent image is formed on the photoconductor, and the latent image is developed to form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is separated and fed one by one from the paper feed cassette 3a by the pickup roller 3b and the separation claws 3c that are in pressure contact with both corners of the upper surface of the recording medium 2, and the conveyance path 3d, The recording medium 2 is conveyed by a conveying means 3 including a pair of registration rollers 3e, and the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member cartridged as a process cartridge B is applied to a transfer roller 4 as a transfer means by a voltage. And the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 through the conveying path 3f. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a fixing roller 5c having a heater 5b built therein, and applies heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and is discharged to the discharge portion 6 through the reversing transport path.

On the other hand, the process cartridge B includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a cleaning means for cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor Etc. As shown in FIG. 35, the process cartridge B of the present embodiment rotates an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 which is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, and applies a voltage to a charging roller 8 which is a charging unit. By applying the voltage, the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 is uniformly charged, and the light image from the optical system 1 is exposed to the charged photoconductor drum 7 through the opening 9 to form a latent image. The developing means 10 develops the latent image.

The developing means 10 includes a toner storage portion 10a.
The toner inside is sent out by the rotatable toner sending members 10b1 and 10b2 which are sending means, the developing roller 10d which is a developing member containing a fixed magnet is rotated, and the toner layer to which a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 10e is removed. The toner image is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the latent image to form a toner image and visualize it. Here, the developing roller 10d supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 7. Further, the developing blade 10e regulates the thickness of the toner layer attached to the surface of the developing roller 10d.

Then, after a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium 2, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 11a, and the squeeze sheet is also removed. The residual toner on the photoconductor drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 which collects the collected toner in the removed toner storage portion 11c by the scooping 11b.

{Cartridge mounting means} Photosensitive drum 7
Each member such as is housed and supported in a cartridge frame in which the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are combined to form a cartridge, and the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body 14.

The cartridge mounting means is a shaft 15a (see FIG. 3).
2, refer to FIG. 33) and open the opening / closing member 15
As shown in FIG. 33, guide grooves 16 are formed substantially symmetrically so as to face the left and right side surfaces of the cartridge mounting space and face downward. The guide groove 16 has a substantially linear shape. Further, a main body side positioning portion 16c is provided on the inlet side of the guide groove 16.

On the other hand, the guide groove 1 is formed on both outer side surfaces of the process cartridge B in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the guide groove 16.
A guide portion which is guided along 6 is formed. The guide portion is configured so as to project from substantially symmetrical positions on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame,
As shown in FIG. 36, the boss 18 and the rib 19 are integrally formed. The boss 18 and the rib 19 are formed integrally with the cleaning container 13 to which the photosensitive drum 7 is attached, the boss 18 is located on an extension line of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 7, and the rib 19 is continuous from the boss 18. Then Fig. 5
In the front of the insertion direction of the process cartridge B indicated by the arrow C, the guide groove 16 is extended obliquely downward in accordance with the shape of the guide groove 16.

In the above structure, when the process cartridge B is mounted, as shown in FIG. 33, the opening / closing member 15 is opened and the rib 19 is fitted into the guide groove 16 to insert the process cartridge B into the apparatus main body 14. . The boss 18 of the process cartridge B is seated on the main body positioning portion 16c formed at the entrance of the guide groove 16. As a result, the drum gear 51a fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with the drive gear 22 (see FIG. 33) on the apparatus body 14 side, and the drive force can be transmitted to the process cartridge B.

Next, when the opening / closing member 15 is closed, the opening / closing member 1
The shutter opening lever 55 which is interlocked with 5 rotates counterclockwise from the position 55a to the position 55b around the shaft 55c, and the pin 2 provided on the drum shutter member 28 shown in FIG.
The transfer opening 13n is opened against the spring force of the torsion coil spring 27 around the pin 29 that engages with the drum shutter member 28 and pivotally attaches the drum shutter member 28 to the cleaning container 13.
The torsion coil spring 27 is inserted into the pin 29, one end of which is locked to the cleaning container 13, and the other end of which is locked to the drum shutter member 28.
5 is open and the process cartridge B is outside the apparatus main body 14, the drum shutter member 28 is pressed by the spring force.
Closes the transfer opening 13n.

When the process cartridge B is taken out, when the opening / closing member 15 is opened, the shutter opening lever 55 returns from the position 55b to 55a about the shaft 55c. Therefore, the drum shutter member 28 is rotated about the pin 29 by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 27 to close the transfer opening 13n. The process cartridge B in this state is attached to the boss 18
After being pulled away from the positioning portion 16c, the process cartridge B can be pulled out in the right diagonal direction in FIG. 33 while taking the rib 19 along the guide groove 16 and taken out.

{Structure of Cartridge Frame} Next, the structure of the cartridge frame will be described. This cartridge frame is formed by injection molding of polystyrene resin. As shown in FIG. 35, the developing lower frame 12b is welded to the side of the developing frame 12a and the lid member 12c is welded to the upper part thereof. Then, the toner developing container 12 is configured. Further, the cleaning container 13 is integrally formed by welding the lid member 13b to the upper portion of the cleaning frame 13a. Then, the cleaning container 13 is joined to the toner developing container 12 to form a cartridge frame.

The toner supply opening 1 is provided on the side of the developing frame 12a.
2a1 and a toner filling port 12a2 on one side surface in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIGS. In addition, a plurality of support members (not shown) are provided upright in the longitudinal direction inside the developing device frame 12a. Here, the toner supply opening 12a1 is for supplying the toner t stored in the toner storage portion 10a to the developing roller 10d. The toner t in the toner storage portion 10d passes through the toner supply opening 12a1 and is supplied to the developing roller 10d.

When assembling the developing means, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 44, after the toner feeding members 10b1 and 10b2 are incorporated in the developing device frame 12a, the lid member 12c is welded to the developing container 12. Next, a film-shaped toner seal 31 is welded to the seal attaching seating surface 12a5 formed around the toner supply opening 12a1 of the toner developing container 12 to seal the opening 12a1. Next, the toner filling port 12
After filling the toner from a2, the filling port 12a2 is covered with the cap 32 to seal the toner storage portion 10a.
As shown in FIG. 44, the toner seal 31 that seals the toner supply opening 12a1 is folded back on one side in the longitudinal direction of the opening 12a1 and the free end side is pulled out from the slit 12a8 provided in the developing device frame 12a. . When the process cartridge B is used, the toner seal 31 is pulled out and removed by the free end.

When the toner seal 31 is pulled out to the outside, the portion where the toner seal 31 passes through the toner developing container 12 is communicated with the inside and outside, and the hermeticity is impaired.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 44, the developing device frame 12
a seal attaching seat surface 1 around the toner supply opening 12a1
An elastic seal material 1 such as felt is attached to the end (free end) on the pull-out side of the toner seal 31 in the longitudinal direction of 2a5.
0h is provided toward the slit 12a8 described above.

As shown in FIG. 44, the elastic seal material 10h overlaps with the toner seal 31 and presses the toner seal 31. Therefore, when the toner seal 31 is pulled out, the elastic seal material 10h fills the slit 12a8 occupied by the toner seal 31, presses against the wall of the developing device frame 12a, and prevents the toner from leaking to the outside.

The attachment of the elastic sealing material 10h will be described. As shown in FIG. 46, the arc portion 12 of the developing device frame 12a
A rectangular groove 12a26 penetrating in the longitudinal direction is provided in a part of a6. The bottom of the square groove 12a26 is flush with the toner seal sticking seat surface 12a5. An elastic seal material 10 such as felt is attached to the piece 10j fitted in the square groove 12a26.
h is attached.

With the above-mentioned structure, even if the toner seal 31 is pulled out, the toner does not leak from the slit 12a8 to the outside of the toner developing container 12.

Next, the developing lower frame 12b is welded to the side portion of the developing frame 12a. As shown in FIG. 39, the developing device frame 12a
A circular arc portion 12a6 to which the end seal 34 is attached is provided at both ends of the toner supply opening 12a1 in the longitudinal direction. Between the arc portions 12a6, the seal-attaching seat surface 12
A flat flange 12a16 is provided on the lower side of a5 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the seal-attaching seat surface 12a5 (see FIGS. 35 and 39). On the other hand, the developing lower frame 12b has such a size that it can be inserted between the facing surfaces of the arcuate portions 12a6 facing each other on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the developing lower frame 12b is shorter than the distance L between the facing surfaces of the arcuate portion 12a6 by twice the dimension g which is to be the gap, in consideration of the variation in the manufacturing dimension. A hole 12a17 is provided in the flange 12a16, and a dowel 12b3 fitted in the hole 12a17 is provided in the developing lower frame 12b. Dowel 12b in hole 12a17
3 and the lower surface of the developing lower frame 12b and the developing frame 1
The upper surface of the flange 12a16 of 2a is welded or adhesively fixed. At this time, a gap g is formed between the arcuate portion 12a6 and the developing lower frame 12b. The size of the gap g varies in size when the developing lower frame 12b is fixed to the developing frame 12a.

Protrusions 12b2 (see FIGS. 35 and 39) are provided outward on both end faces in the longitudinal direction of the developing lower frame 12b. When the dowel 12b3 is fitted into the hole 12a17 for welding or adhering the developing lower frame 12b to the developing frame 12a,
A recess 12a18 into which the protrusion 12b2 fits is provided. As shown in FIGS. 49, 50, 51, and 65, there is a gap g1 between the recess 12a18 and the periphery of the protrusion 12b2 when viewed from the outside. This gap is almost equal to the gap g between the facing portions of the developing lower frame 12b and the arc portion 12a6.

As shown in FIG. 65, the projection 12b2 and the recess 12a18 are sealed with a sealing material 39 interposed.

As shown in FIG. 39, a sticking portion 12a20 of the end seal 34 is provided on the arc portion 12a6 of the developing device frame 12a. This pasting part 12a20 is an arc part 12
It has an arcuate peripheral surface having the same center line as the longitudinal outer arc portion 12a21 of a6. The center line is the center line of the developing roller 10d assembled in the toner developing container 12. The attaching portion 12a20 has an arc surface having a radius smaller than the radius of the outer arc portion 12a21 of the arc portion 12a6,
It rises from the outer arc portion 12a21. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the sticking portion 12a20 has an outer arc portion 12a.
The end portion ends inside the end portion in the circumferential direction of a21.

As shown in FIGS. 48, 49 and 50, when the developing lower frame 12b is welded or adhered to the developing frame 12a, a notch 12d is formed between the arc portion 12a6 and the developing lower frame 12b. To be done.

As shown in FIGS. 52 to 54, the notch 12d is a gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d (a gap formed between the photosensitive drum 7 and the spacer roller 10d1 provided at both ends of the developing roller 10d). (Development gap)
It is on the optical path of laser light passing through. The hole 13b3 provided in the cleaning frame 13a is located on this optical path.

52 to 54, a laser light source 86
Is a gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d (about 30
It has a width larger than 0 μm). Laser light source 86
The laser light emitted from the hole 13b3, the photoconductor drum 7
The light is received by the light receiver 87 through the gap between the developing roller 10d and the developing roller 10d. The width of the laser light received by the light receiver 87 in the direction parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 52 is equal to the gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d. This makes it possible to know the developing gap.

The measurement of the gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d by such a laser beam is performed at two end portions in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7. Therefore, hole 1
3b3 and notch 12d are provided at two locations in the longitudinal direction.

After the developing lower frame 12b is welded to the developing frame 12a, the end seal 34 and the seal 35 are attached.

As shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, the end seal 34 seals between the both ends of the developing roller 10d and the developing blade 10e and the developing frame 12a, and is an arc portion which contacts the developing roller 10d. 34a and a straight line portion 34b which comes into contact along the back surfaces of both ends of the blade sheet metal 10e2 in the longitudinal direction are integrally formed. The outer diameter side of the arc portion 34a is attached to the arc portion 12a6 of the developing device frame 12a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 35, a seal 35 made of urethane foam or the like is attached according to the longitudinal direction between the blade mounting seat surfaces 12a4 formed above the toner discharge opening 12a1 of the developing frame 12a, and the blade mounting seat surfaces 12a4.
Then, the developing blade 10e is screwed and attached. As a result, the seal 35 is compressed between the blade sheet metal 10e2 and the developing frame body 12a, and the blade sheet metal 10e2 and the developing frame body 12a are sealed.

The developing holder 37 shown in FIG. 55 is fixed to one end of the developing frame 12a, and the developing holder 36 shown in FIG. 56 is fixed to the other end. Development holder 36,
37 is fixed to the developing device frame 12a by machine screws 56 and 57, respectively.

The shaft 10d2 at one end of the developing roller 10d is fitted into a bearing 33b which is integral with the holder 37 shown in FIG. Then, the bearing 33a at the other end of the developing roller 10d is fitted into the bearing hole 33a2 in the developing roller shaft 10d2, and as shown in FIG. 46, a positioning dowel 12a7 provided outside one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12a. Hole 33a
Insert 4. Next, the developing roller gear 10f is fitted to the developing roller shaft 10d2. Then, the hole 36 of the developing holder 36
d is fitted into the positioning dowel 12a7 protruding from the hole 33a4 of the bearing 33a. At this time, the developing roller gear 10f is housed in the gear housing portion 36b of the developing holder 36. Therefore,
The small screw 56 is inserted into the hole 36c of the developing holder 36 and the hole 33a1 of the bearing 33a to insert the female screw 12a of the developing device frame 12a.
It is screwed and fixed to 13. The gear storage portion 36b outside the developing holder 36 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and
When the cleaning container 13 and the cleaning container 13 are joined together, the developing roller gear 10f meshes with the drum gear 51a through the lacked portion of the gear accommodating portion 36b.

The developing holder 37 includes a toner developing container 12
An arm portion 38 at one end in the longitudinal direction is integrally formed as a connecting portion for connecting the cleaning container 13 and the cleaning container 13. The arm portion 38 at the other end in the longitudinal direction is formed integrally with the developing device frame 12a.

Then, the toner developing container 12 in which each member constituting the developing means is assembled, and the cleaning container 13 in which each member constituting the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the cleaning means 11 are assembled are the arm portions. Three
8 to form a process cartridge B.

{Coupling Structure of Toner Developing Container and Cleaning Container} Next, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 1
38, FIG. 42, FIG. 55, FIG.
6, with reference to FIG. 57. 38 and 42.
5A and 5B are a side view and a perspective view for explaining the coupling of the two containers 12 and 13, and FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram of the inside of the coupling portion, FIG.
5 and 57 are side views of the joint portion of the toner developing container 12. Further, both the containers 12 and 13 are rotatably coupled via the arms 38 on both sides in the longitudinal direction, but since the configurations are substantially the same on the left and right, only one side will be described here. However, a description will be added to the left and right portions of the arm portion 38 each time.

A through hole 38b through which a pin 41, which will be described later, penetrates, and a long hole 38b1 are formed at the tip of the arm portion 38. Further, as shown in FIG. 57, the outer wall surface 13q of the cleaning container 13 is formed with a hole 13c through which the pin 41 penetrates, and the inner wall surface 13d is formed with a hole 13e for press-fitting the pin 41. . The holes 13c and 13e are located on an axis parallel to the photosensitive drum 7. An axis connecting the centers of the long hole 38b1 and the hole 13e provided in the arm portion 38 on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning container 13 passes through the holes 13c and 13e. The long hole 38b1 is long in the direction parallel to the line connecting the centers of the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d, and the hole width is equal to that of the pin 41.

In the above structure, when the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are joined together, as shown in FIGS. 42 and 57, the arm portion 38 provided in the toner developing container 12 is inserted into the recess 13h of the cleaning container 13. And the pin 41 is provided in the cleaning container 13.
c, 13c to the through hole 38b of the arm portion 38, the long hole 38
The holes 13 of the inner wall surface 13d are penetrated in the order of b1.
Press into e and 13e respectively. As a result, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are rotatably connected about the pin 41.

Since the elongated hole 38b1 is provided as described above, the photosensitive drum 7 and the spacer roller 10d1 of the developing roller 10d are in contact with each other at their respective bus lines.

At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B, the spring hooks 13p of the cleaning container 13 and the spring hooks 1 provided on the developing device frame 12a of the toner developing container 12 are provided.
Both ends of the tension coil spring 59 are locked to 2a29, respectively. The tension direction of the tension coil spring 59 is substantially parallel to the line connecting the center of the photosensitive drum 7 and the center of the developing roller 10d.

As a result, the developing roller 10 attached to the toner developing container 12 by the urging of the tension coil spring 59.
d is the photosensitive drum 7 attached to the cleaning container 13.
Spacer rollers 10d1 that are pressed to the side and are attached to both ends of the developing roller 10d in the longitudinal direction contact the photosensitive drum 7, and the developing roller 10d with respect to the photosensitive drum 7 is positioned. Further, at this time, the drum gear 51a fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with the developing roller gear 10f fixed to the side end of the developing roller 10d, and the driving force can be transmitted.

(Separation of Photosensitive Drum and Developing Roller) When the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are in contact with each other, the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f are naturally meshed with each other. Drum gear 51a and developing roller gear 10
When f is transported in mesh with each other, vibration of the transportation causes the tooth flanks of those gears to collide with each other and rotate. There is no problem if this rotation is always the direction of arrow A in FIG. 28 (rotation direction during operation), but since it is rotation caused by vibration, it naturally occurs in the direction of arrow B. When the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d rotate in the direction of the arrow B, that is, in the direction opposite to that at the time of operation, in the worst case, the blowing prevention sheet comes into contact with the developing roller in the counter direction, so that the blowing prevention sheet is wound. You may get burned.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the drum gear 51
It is decided that the back gap in which a and the developing roller gear 10f are meshed with each other is larger than the back gap at the time of image formation so that the tooth surfaces do not collide with each other due to vibration during transportation. Of course, the distribution may be performed with the mesh disengaged.

A means for maintaining the state in which the back gap between the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f is increased as shown in FIG. Figure 5
9, the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10 in FIG.
A tape 81 was attached to the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 in a state where the engagement of f was disengaged.

Drum gear 51a and developing roller gear 10f
To remove the engagement of the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 with the pin 4 as shown by the arrow N in FIG.
A force is applied to bring the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 closer to each other on the side opposite to the side on which the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are provided, with the vertical plane passing through the point P pivoted at 1 being interposed therebetween. Add. At this time, a tension coil spring 59 (see FIG. 3) for pressing the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d.
7, refer to FIG. 38) against the spring force. Therefore, tension acts on the tape 81 based on the spring 59. Therefore, the tape 81 has a width and a thickness so that the stress against pulling during distribution is within an allowable range, and an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive of a type that does not peel off the adhered portions to the toner developing frame 12 and the cleaning container 13. To use.

With respect to the second embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is applied in other respects.

The following is a summary of the above-described embodiments of the present invention and a supplementary description thereof.

First, in the process cartridge B attachable / detachable to the main body 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 having the gear 51a coaxially fixed thereto, and the static drum formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7. A developing roller for developing the latent image with toner, and a gear 10f meshing with a gear 51a fixed to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7.
Is coaxially fixed to the developing roller 10d, a cleaning container 13 that supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7, a toner developing container 12 that supports the developing roller 10d, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are separated from each other. A coupling member for possibly coupling the cleaning container 13 and the toner developing container 12, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7, and the developing roller 10.
springs 40 and 5 which are biasing members for biasing d in the contact direction
9, the developing roller 10d and the gear 51a of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 are disengaged from each other, or the developing roller and the gear of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are disengaged. The back gap is larger than when the image was formed,
Is a process cartridge that holds the above.

Secondly, in the first, the connecting member is a pin 41 for rotatably connecting the cleaning container 13 and the toner developing container 13.

Third, in the second, the developing roller 10d and the gears 10f and 51a of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 are disengaged from each other by the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13.
Is performed by applying a force so that the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 come closer to each other on the side opposite to the developing roller 10d with the pin 41 connecting between them.

In the fourth and third aspects, it is necessary to keep the developing roller 10d and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 in a state where the gears 10f and 51a are disengaged from each other. Pin 41 connected
The tape 81 is attached to both the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 on the side opposite to the developing roller 10d with a space between them.

In the fifth and fourth aspects, the tape 81 can be peeled or cut.

In the sixth and fifth, the tape 81 is an adhesive tape.

In the seventh to any one of the fourth to sixth, the tape 81 is a single tape, and the developing roller 1
With respect to the position of 0d in the longitudinal direction, it is arranged substantially in the center.

In the eighth to any one of the fourth to seventh, the tape 81 has a knob 81a at one end.

In the ninth to any one of the fourth to eighth, it is described that the tape 81 is peeled off or cut off from the outside of the process cartridge B before use.

In the tenth one of the first to ninth aspects, the process cartridge B is manufactured by keeping the developing roller 10d and the gears 10d and 51a of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 out of mesh. After the completion of the procedure described above, but before the shipment and attachment to the main body 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Eleventh, in the first, between the cleaning container 13 and the toner developing container 12, a pin 41 as a connecting member is interposed and an electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided at an end opposite to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7. The drum 7 has an opening 9 for receiving exposure light, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 1
When the 0d gears 10d and 51a are separated from each other, the opening 9 is closed.

[0121]

According to the present invention, the teeth of the drum gear are disengaged from the drum gear and the developing roller gear in opposition to the urging force of the urging member, or due to vibration during transportation.
To hold a state where the backlash is larger than the image formation Dora <br/> worm gear and the developing roller gear as the surface and the tooth surface of the developing roller gear is not hit, the cleaning container and toner
-Insert a connecting member that rotatably connects with the developing container
Then, on the side opposite to the developing roller, there is a tape attached over the cleaning container and the toner developing container. Therefore, according to the present invention, the process cartridge can be distributed with the developing roller gear and the drum gear disengaged. Therefore, during distribution of the process cartridge, the developing roller can be prevented from rotating in the direction opposite to that during image formation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a partial cross section of the process cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a frame structure of a toner developing container.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a drum shutter.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a toner developing container and a cleaning container.

FIG. 12 is a development schematic diagram of a cleaning container.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a toner developing container to which a developing roller is not attached.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a developing roller supporting unit.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a toner developing container.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the toner developing container with the developing roller and the developing blade removed.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of part F in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the toner developing container facing the process cartridge mounting direction.

FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 26 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between a toner developing container and a cleaning container.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a toner developing container and a cleaning container.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the photosensitive drum and the developing roller during operation for image formation.

FIG. 29 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the process cartridge in the distribution process.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a photosensitive drum and a charging roller in a distribution process.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a process cartridge in a distribution process.

FIG. 32 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 33 is a vertical sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 35 is a vertical sectional view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 37 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 38 is a side view showing a partial cross section of the process cartridge.

FIG. 39 is a plan view showing a frame structure of the toner developing container.

FIG. 40 is a side view showing a drum shutter.

FIG. 41 is a plan view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of a toner developing container and a cleaning container.

FIG. 43 is a development schematic view of a cleaning container.

FIG. 44 is a horizontal sectional view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a toner developing container to which a developing roller is not attached.

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view showing developing roller supporting means.

FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 48 is a plan view of the toner developing container with the developing roller and the developing blade removed.

49 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. 48.

50 is an enlarged view of part F in FIG. 48.

FIG. 51 is a front view of the toner developing container viewed in the mounting direction of the process cartridge.

FIG. 52 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 53 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 54 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 55 is a side view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 56 is a side view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 57 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between the toner developing container and the cleaning container.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a cleaning container and a toner developing container.

FIG. 59 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the process cartridge in the distribution process.

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a process cartridge in a physical distribution process.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... Image forming apparatus B ... Process cartridge 1 ... Optical means (optical system) 2 ... Recording medium 3 ... Conveying means 3a ... Cassette 3b ... Pickup roller 3c ... Separation claw 3d ... Conveying path 3e ... Register roller pair 3f ... Conveying path 3g , 3h ... Ejection roller 4 ... Transfer roller 5 ... Fixing means 5a ... Drive roller 5b ... Heater 5c
... Fixing roller 6 ... Discharging section 7 ... Photoreceptor drum 8 ... Charging roller 9 ... Exposure opening 10 ... Developing means 10a ... Toner storage section 10b, 10
b1, 10b2 ... Toner feeding member 10d ... Developing roller 10d1 ... Spacer roller 10d2 ... Shaft 10e ... Developing blade 10e1 ... Elastic blade 10e2 ... Blade sheet metal 10e6 ... Notch 10f ... Developing roller gear 10h ... Elastic sealing material 10j ... Piece 11 ... Cleaning means 11a ... cleaning blade 11b ... squeeze sheet 11c ... removed toner storage 12 ... toner development container 12a ... development frame 12a1 ...
Toner supply opening 12a2 ... Toner filling opening 12a4
… Blade mounting seat surface 12a5… Seal pasting seat surface 12
a6 ... Arc part 12a7 ... Dowel 12a8 ... Slit
12a13 ... Female thread 12a16 ... Flange 12a1
7 ... Hole 12a18 ... Recessed portion 12a20 ... End seal sticking portion 12a21 ... Longitudinal direction outer side arc portion 12a2
6 ... Square groove 12a28 ... Spring mounting portion 12a29 ... Spring hook 12
b ... developing lower frame 12b2 ... protrusion 12b3 ... dowel 12
c ... Lid member 12d ... Notch 13 ... Cleaning container 13a ... Cleaning frame
13b ... Lid member 13b1 ... Hole 13b3 ... Hole 13c
... Hole 13d ... Inner wall surface 13e ... Hole 13f ... Spring seat 13h ... Recessed portion 13n ... Transfer opening 13p ... Spring hooking 13q ... Outer wall surface 14 ... Device body 15 ... Opening / closing member 15a ... Shaft 16 ... Guide groove 16a ... Rotation stop contact surface 16c ... Positioning part 18 ... Boss 19 ... Rib 19a ... Tip 22 ... Drive gear 27 ... Torsion coil spring 28 ... Drum shutter member 28a ... Pin 29 ... Pin 31 ... Toner seal 32 ... Cap 33a, 33b ... Bearing 33a1 ... Hole 33a2 ... Bearing hole 33a3 ... Fitting portion 33a4 ... Hole 34 ... End seal 34a ... Arc portion 34b ... Straight portion 35 ... Seal 36 ... Development holder 36a ... Fitting portion 36b ... Gear storage portion 36c, 36d ... Hole 37 ... Development holder 38 ... Arm 38b ... Through hole 38b1 ... Long hole 39 ... Seal material 40 ... Compression coil spring 41 ... Pin 51a ... Do Ram gear 55 ... Shutter opening levers 55a, 55b ... Position 55
c ... Shaft 56, 57 ... Machine screw 59 ... Tensile coil spring 81 ... Tape 81a ... Knob 86 ... Laser light source 87 ... Photoreceiver

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-5-232752 (JP, A) JP-A-9-16057 (JP, A) JP-A 64-20579 (JP, A) JP-A 63-244063 (JP , A) JP 8-190251 (JP, A) JP 4-134458 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16 -21/18 G03G 15/08

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a drum gear provided at one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing roller for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface with toner, and a developing roller gear provided at one longitudinal end of the developing roller, the developing roller gear meshing with the drum gear to rotate the developing roller. A developing roller gear that transmits a driving force for driving the developing roller gear, a cleaning container that supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a toner developing container that supports the developing roller, and a cleaning container and a toner developing container. The coupling member, which is movably coupled to the drum gear, and the developing roller gear, engage in the direction in which the coupling member is engaged. An urging member for urging the cleaning container and the toner developing container coupled Te, against the biasing force of the biasing member, when opening the meshing between the drum gear and the developing roller gear, or, during transportation
Vibration of the drum gear and the developing roller gear
In order to prevent the tooth surface of the developing roller gear from colliding with the tooth surface of the developing roller gear, the developing roller is held with the connecting member in between so as to maintain a state in which the back gap between the drum gear and the developing roller gear is larger than that during image formation.
A process cartridge comprising: a tape attached to the cleaning container and the toner developing container on the side opposite to the la . Wherein disengage the meshing of the gear of the developing roller and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the opposite side of the developing roller and between the coupling member, the toner as developer container and the cleaning container approach one another The process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the process cartridge is performed by applying force. 3. A process cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said tape is peelable or disconnected. Wherein said tape process cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that an adhesive tape. Wherein said tape is a single tape, before
The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the process cartridge is disposed substantially in the center of the process cartridge with respect to the longitudinal position of the developing roller. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the tape has a knob at one end. Wherein said tape claims from claim 1, characterized in that it has been described that prior to use the process cartridge on a surface visible from the outside, peeling or cutting 6
The process cartridge according to any one of 1. 8. The state in which the developing roller and the gear of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are disengaged is maintained after the manufacturing of the process cartridge is completed, and is shipped and mounted in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the process cartridge is up to the front. 9. A member for exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to an end opposite to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a coupling member interposed between the cleaning container and the toner developing container. The process according to claim 1, further comprising an opening, wherein the opening is closed when the gears of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated from each other. cartridge.